World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026
Government institutions in low- and middle-income countries developing or deploying artificial intelligence solutions have an opportunity to participate in the GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration, a fully funded technical programme convened by the World Bank, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA).
The initiative is designed to help government teams move beyond AI strategies and develop practical approaches for implementing AI solutions that can strengthen public administration, service delivery, transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement.
Up to five government teams will be selected to participate in a fully funded five-day technical bootcamp in Seoul, South Korea, where participants will engage directly with Korean public-sector practitioners, technology experts and World Bank specialists.
Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
What is the GovTech AI Bootcamp?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how governments deliver services, manage information and interact with citizens.
Yet developing an AI strategy is only the beginning. Governments often face significant challenges when attempting to translate policy ambitions into functioning systems, including limitations involving data, infrastructure, technical capacity, procurement, institutional coordination and governance.
The GovTech AI Bootcamp is designed to address this implementation gap.
The programme will provide selected government teams with practical exposure to Korea’s experience in deploying AI across public-sector institutions while giving participants an opportunity to work directly on their own initiatives.
The goal is not simply to learn about AI.
It is to help participating teams develop technically grounded implementation roadmaps that can guide their initiatives after the bootcamp.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to government institutions in low- and middle-income countries that are developing, piloting or deploying AI-enabled solutions for public-sector applications.
Eligible initiatives may relate to areas such as:
- Public financial management
- Civil service and human resource management
- Citizen services
- Civic technology
- Citizen engagement
- Public procurement
- Anti-corruption
- Government transparency
- Public administration
- Other public-sector applications of artificial intelligence
The strongest applications will demonstrate that the proposed AI initiative is already being developed, piloted or deployed, rather than existing solely as an early-stage idea.
Two-Person Government Teams
Each application should nominate a two-person team.
The team must include:
- A policy leader with sufficient decision-making authority to influence or support implementation.
- A technical practitioner directly involved in implementing the proposed AI initiative.
This combination is intended to ensure that both policy and technical perspectives are represented throughout the bootcamp.
Participants should also be comfortable participating in discussions and workshops conducted in English. Simultaneous Korean-English interpretation will be available.
What Will Successful Teams Gain?
Up to five selected teams will receive the opportunity to participate in a fully funded five-day technical bootcamp in Seoul.
Participants will learn directly from practitioners responsible for designing, operating and scaling public AI systems in Korea.
The programme will provide exposure to practical issues including:
- AI implementation
- Public-sector technology systems
- Institutional coordination
- Data management
- AI governance
- Procurement
- System deployment
- Infrastructure
- Scaling digital solutions
- Algorithmic challenges
Teams will also engage with Korean and World Bank experts and have opportunities to exchange experiences with institutions working on similar challenges.
From AI Challenge to Implementation Roadmap
One of the most valuable components of the programme is its practical orientation.
During the workshop component, participants will work with AI practitioners and World Bank experts to refine their proposed approaches and identify the obstacles that could prevent successful implementation.
This may involve examining:
- Algorithmic bottlenecks
- Data constraints
- Infrastructure requirements
- Institutional dependencies
- Implementation risks
- Technical contingencies
- Governance considerations
Participants will ultimately work toward developing a technically grounded implementation roadmap for their AI initiative.
This roadmap is intended to help government institutions move from ambition toward practical implementation.
Why Learn From Korea?
South Korea has developed extensive experience in using digital technologies and AI across public administration.
Public-sector AI applications have been deployed across areas including public financial management, tax administration, citizen services and social welfare.
The bootcamp therefore provides participating institutions with an opportunity to learn directly from organizations involved in designing and operating these systems.
Participants will gain first-hand insights into the realities of implementation, including the institutional, technical and governance considerations involved in taking AI systems from development to scale.
Where relevant, teams may also engage with technology providers supporting government system deployment.
Three Phases of the Programme
The GovTech AI Bootcamp consists of three main phases.
Phase One: Call for Proposals
Government institutions submit proposals describing their AI initiatives, implementation challenges and objectives.
Applications will be reviewed by representatives of the World Bank, MOIS and NIA.
Strong proposals should demonstrate:
- A clearly defined public-sector challenge
- A realistic AI-enabled solution
- Technical feasibility
- Institutional commitment
- Implementation potential
- Clear learning objectives
- A credible pathway toward implementation
Phase Two: Seoul Bootcamp
The five-day programme will take place in Seoul from 7–11 December 2026.
The first component will expose participants to Korea’s public and private AI ecosystem through site visits and exchanges with practitioners.
The second component will involve practical workshops where teams refine their approaches and develop implementation roadmaps with support from Korean AI practitioners and World Bank experts.
Phase Three: Follow-Up Support
Following the bootcamp, participating teams may receive follow-up support and technical feedback to help advance their initiatives.
Selection for this additional support will depend on the strength and viability of proposals, as well as the expert advice provided during the programme.
Key Dates
Call for Proposals Launch: 12 August 2026
Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
Notification of Results: 16 October 2026
Seoul Bootcamp: 7–11 December 2026
Final Roadmap Submission: 23 January 2027
Selection of Follow-Up Support Teams: 13 February 2027
What Should Applicants Prepare?
Applicants will be asked to explain the public-sector challenge they are addressing and provide details about their proposed AI solution.
Applications should address areas including:
- The public-sector problem
- Proposed AI solution
- Technical readiness
- Data readiness
- Institutional support
- Implementation risks
- Learning objectives
- Planned next steps following the bootcamp
Supporting documents may also be submitted, including endorsement letters, technical diagrams, policy documents, budget commitments and other relevant materials.
Application Details
Programme: GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration
Organizers: World Bank, Republic of Korea MOIS and NIA
Target: Government institutions in low- and middle-income countries
Selected Teams: Up to 5
Team Size: 2 people per institution
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Format: Fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp
Bootcamp Dates: 7–11 December 2026
Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
Take a real public-sector AI initiative to Seoul, learn from Korea’s leading government AI practitioners, work directly with World Bank experts and develop a technically grounded roadmap for implementation.
Fully Funded | Up to 5 Government Teams | Seoul | AI + Governance + Public Sector Innovation
Applications close 2 October 2026.
Government institutions in low- and middle-income countries with credible AI initiatives are encouraged to apply through the official submission process before the deadline.
